US president raises Iran issue during Beijing talks
BEIJING: US President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping reacted cautiously when he raised concerns about Iran potentially obtaining nuclear weapons during their recent meeting in Beijing.
Speaking to reporters after the talks, Trump said he directly told Xi that Iran must not become a nuclear-armed state.
“I told President Xi that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, they’re stone cold crazy,” Trump stated while describing their private discussions.
When asked how Xi responded, Trump suggested the Chinese leader remained measured and avoided taking a clear public position on the issue.
“Well, he’s not going to respond too much — he’s a pretty cool guy, he’s not gonna say ‘oh, that’s a good point,’” Trump remarked.
Furthermore, Trump’s comments highlighted continuing international concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the role major powers could play in future negotiations or regional diplomacy.
China maintains cautious stance amid rising tensions
Meanwhile, China has consistently supported diplomatic engagement regarding Iran’s nuclear programme while opposing military escalation and unilateral sanctions.
Although Beijing did not release details about Trump and Xi’s exchange on Iran, Chinese officials previously called for dialogue and stability across the Middle East.
The conversation between the two leaders comes during increasing regional tensions involving Iran, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and global concerns over nuclear security.
Additionally, analysts believe China remains cautious about publicly aligning too closely with Washington’s position on Iran due to Beijing’s economic and strategic ties with Tehran.
At the same time, Trump’s remarks underscored the importance the United States places on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons capabilities.
Neither the White House nor the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued further clarification regarding the leaders’ private discussions about Iran during the Beijing summit.
⚡️BIG
President Xi remained ambiguous on the issue of a nuclear-armed Iran:
Trump: "I told President Xi that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, they’re stone cold crazy."
Reporter: "What did he say?"
Trump: "Well, he’s not going to respond too much — he’s a pretty cool guy,… pic.twitter.com/Mqruuza6kT
— Iran Observer (@IranObserver0) May 15, 2026
